at seymour johnson air force base when i was 9 years old i saw the blue angels fly. >> reporter: today jeff harper a crew chief on one of their fa-18 hornets. like those who fly them the team on the ground is hand picked and they'll go over and even into every inch of the jets before they fly. >> i get up to the top of the jet and my crew chief says boss, this jet's ready to go, i know it is. and it's all about trust. >> reporter: the team's next hop is to fly a practice show and memorize critical ground reference points they'll need to safely perform their routine. flying this close together, much closer than in combat, is not dangerous, they say, just incredibly unforgiving. >> i place my head directly underneath here, and my head is, no kidding, about this close away from boss's aircraft when -- >> reporter: so you, the canopy of your airplane is from here to here? >> yep. >> reporter: not for the faint of heart, though at each show site selected civilians are invited to ride in a solo jet. often teachers, civic or business leaders. >> great experience that the navy gave me. great o